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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 187


Page 187 of 510

New 10-year patient safety analysis highlights areas for improvement in acute medical units

A new study analyzes 377 severe harm and death incidents in acute medical units across England and Wales between 2005-2015. The most common incident types were diagnostic errors, medication-related errors, and failures in monitoring patients. Implementing electronic prescribing systems and checklists can reduce diagnostic errors, while...

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 4, 2021

Fat ‘shield’ protects immune cells—and some cancers—from destruction

A newly discovered fat 'shield' protects natural killer cells from their own deadly biological weapons, but also allows some cancer cells to evade an immune system attack. The shield is made of lipids and reinforces the cell membrane before an attack, preventing the toxic substances from penetrating the membrane.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2021

A machine learning approach for predicting risk of schizophrenia using a blood test

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine developed a machine learning algorithm that analyzes DNA methylation patterns in blood samples to identify individuals with schizophrenia. The study achieved an 80% accuracy rate and identified epigenetic markers that differ between people diagnosed with the condition and those without it.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2021

Researchers developed photoirradiation-based super-resolution gene analysis technology

Researchers developed a technology called Photo-Isolation Chemistry (PIC) to detect genes in very small cell populations and intracellular microstructures. This new method has high potential for applications in various fields, including cancer diagnosis, and requires only minimal cost compared to existing techniques.

SourceJapan Science and Technology Agency·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2021

Reducing COVID-19 risk during dentist appointments

New research found that using electric drills instead of air-driven drills reduces aerosol spray by 99.98%, creating a safer environment for patients and dental teams. This could lead to a significant increase in treatments carried out, addressing the growing backlog of patients waiting for dental care.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalJournal of Dental Research·DateAug 3, 2021

New articles for Geosphere posted online in July

The latest additions to the Geosphere journal feature groundbreaking research on diffuse spreading in the Mariana Trough, revealing a new mode of crustal accretion. Another study investigates the postglacial slip distribution along the Teton normal fault in Wyoming, USA, highlighting the impact of unloading on the fault's behavior. Mea...

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeosphere·DateAug 3, 2021

How chemical reactions compute

Molecules react by following computation steps: input, transformation, output. Juan-Pérez Mercader's native chemical computation harnesses this power to build and assemble structures. It can tackle problems better suited for chemical reactions than supercomputers.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalFrontiers in Chemistry·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 3, 2021

Fabrication of printed high-performance thin-film transistors operable at one volt

Scientists at NIMS have developed a new method for printing high-performance thin-film transistors and three-dimensional circuits using low-temperature-catalyzed, solution-processed SiO2. The resulting devices exhibit the highest field-effect mobilities ever recorded at an operating voltage of 1 V or less.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalSmall Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2021

Moffitt researchers show beta-cutaneous HPV may be predictor of squamous cell carcinoma

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center identify beta-HPV as potential biomarker for predicting squamous cell carcinoma development in older adults. The presence of beta-HPV in skin swabs was significantly associated with an increased risk of developing squamous cell carcinomas, particularly in areas of UV skin damage.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalCancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2021

Giraffes are as socially complex as elephants, study finds

Researchers at the University of Bristol have found that giraffes exhibit highly complex social structures, comparable to those of elephants and killer-whales. The presence of post-reproductive adult females offers survival benefits for related offspring, supporting cooperative parenting and shared care within matrilineal societies.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalMammal Review·TypeObservational study·DateAug 3, 2021

Cracking one more layer of genetic code will finally enable personalized medicine, researcher says

A McMaster University researcher suggests that understanding biochemical pathways controlling gene expression can unlock the secrets of 'missing heritability' in precision medicine. The study reveals how hidden variations in these pathways contribute to disease development, providing a new approach to personalized care.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalJournal of Molecular Evolution·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 3, 2021

Researchers envision better health interventions for men who have sex with men

A scoping review by VCU School of Medicine researchers found that ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is a promising approach for supporting the health needs of MSM, with high rates of acceptance and feasibility. The study identified gaps in current research designs and emphasized the need for evidence-based best practices in EMA met...

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 3, 2021

The graveyard never lies

A recent study published in eLife journal analyzed mortality data from 103 countries to determine the true rate of COVID-19 deaths. The researchers found significant underreporting of pandemic deaths, with some nations reporting 2-50 times higher excess deaths than official numbers.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 3, 2021

Connective issue: AI learns by doing more with less

A new study from Washington University in St. Louis shows that guided by sparsity, silicon neurons learn to pick the most energy-efficient perturbations and wave patterns, enabling an emergent phenomenon of efficient communication between neurons. This research has significant implications for designing neuromorphic AI systems.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2021

Most comprehensive review yet of keto diets finds heart risks, cancer risk, dangers to pregnant women and kidney patients

A comprehensive review of keto diets found potential health risks, including increased heart disease risk, cancer risk, and adverse effects on pregnant women and kidney patients. For most people, the possible long-term benefits of a keto diet are outweighed by its potential drawbacks.

SourcePhysicians Committee for Responsible Medicine·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·DateAug 3, 2021

Scientists discover ‘bulkheads’ between liver cells

Researchers at Skoltech have discovered structures called apical bulkheads in liver cells that are responsible for the narrow shape of bile canaliculi. The discovery reveals a key role for the Rab35 protein in regulating hepatocyte lumina formation and suggests potential avenues for medical applications in fatty liver disease and fibrosis

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2021

New viable means of storing information for quantum technologies?

Researchers have successfully demonstrated a new type of qubit that stores information in the oscillation amplitude of carbon nanotubes. This innovation has the potential to improve reliability in quantum computation by reducing interaction with the environment. However, experimental verification is still pending.

SourceCNRS·JournalPhysical Review X·DateAug 3, 2021

New study yields insights into chronic rejection after lung transplantation

Researchers identified protein patterns in lung tissue from patients with end-stage bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, revealing an epithelial/mesenchymal imbalance and increased stiffness in remodeled airways. This breakthrough study may help develop therapies to improve long-term outcomes for lung transplantation patients.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2021

New information on the early stages of human development – Basic research involving embryos provides a solid basis for developing better infertility treatments

Researchers at the University of Helsinki have identified short non-coding RNA molecules in human ova and embryos, shedding light on embryonic development. The study's findings may lead to improved infertility treatments and a deeper understanding of early miscarriages.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalGenome Research·DateAug 3, 2021

Potential biomarker found for lung disease in scleroderma patients

Researchers discovered a protein called CTRP9 associated with pulmonary function in scleroderma patients with interstitial lung disease. Patients with higher CTRP9 levels developed more severe lung disease, while low levels were linked to preserved function. The study suggests CTRP9 could help predict treatment needs for these patients.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 3, 2021