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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 225


Page 225 of 510

An 'instruction' to the crocodylian skull

Scientists from St Petersburg University describe the detailed structure of crocodylian braincases, revealing evolutionary features that enabled powerful jaws. The study resolves long-standing contradictions in the genealogical tree of reptiles and sheds light on developmental mechanisms behind the akinetic skull structure.

SourceSt. Petersburg State University·JournalJournal of Anatomy·DateJul 6, 2021

Still waiting at an intersection? Banning certain left turns helps traffic flow

A new method developed by Gayah and Aalto University researcher Murat Bayrak suggests eliminating left turns at busy intersections to reduce congestion. The hybrid approach uses heuristic algorithms to identify the most efficient configurations, banning left turns in city centers while allowing them on periphery roads.

SourcePenn State·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·DateJul 6, 2021

New warning on teen sleep

A recent study published in SLEEP found that teenagers who slept only five hours per night experienced significant depression, anger, and confusion. In contrast, those who slept ten hours reported increased happiness. The study highlights the importance of sufficient sleep for adolescents to mitigate mood deficits.

SourceFlinders University·JournalSLEEP·DateJul 6, 2021

UT Southwestern scientists closing in on map of the mammalian immune system

Researchers used a machine-learning algorithm to identify novel gene candidates associated with immune traits in mice, including 101 new genes with over 95% chance of being required for immunity. The study's software, Candidate Explorer, helps predict causation of mutations and has already verified hundreds of genes with novel functions.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 2021

Setting COVID-19 drug trials up for success

A new modeling study suggests that randomization and early recruitment in COVID-19 clinical trials can help identify effective antiviral drugs. The researchers found that timing of treatment initiation also plays a crucial role, with treatments administered within the first day of symptom onset showing improved outcomes.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJul 6, 2021

New risk model may improve the prediction of preterm birth

A new risk prediction model may improve the prediction of impending spontaneous preterm birth, reducing unnecessary hospital admissions and treatment costs. The model combines clinical risk factors with vaginal fluid fetal fibronectin concentration analysis, showing promising performance in predicting preterm birth within seven days.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJul 6, 2021

Developing new techniques to build biomaterials

Scientists at the University of Leeds have developed an approach to control the structure and mechanics of synthetic biomaterials made from proteins. By removing specific chemical bonds, known as 'protein staples,' they altered the structure of a protein network, resulting in different mechanical properties.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalACS Nano·DateJul 6, 2021

Satellite galaxies can carry on forming stars when they pass close to their parent galaxies

Using numerical simulations, researchers showed that satellite galaxies can retain gas and experience new episodes of star formation after passing close to their parent galaxy. This process is driven by the satellite's reserve of cold gas and minimum distance from its parent galaxy.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJul 6, 2021

Safe nurse staffing standards in hospitals saves lives and lowers costs

A new study found that establishing safe nurse staffing standards in hospitals in Chile could significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. The research revealed that private hospitals had better nurse-to-patient ratios than public hospitals, resulting in lower avoidable deaths and hospital readmissions.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateJul 6, 2021

Bacterial survival kit to endure in soil

Acidobacteria use low-affinity terminal oxidases to 'breathe' oxygen at nanomolar concentrations, challenging traditional assumptions. These microbes also scavenge atmospheric hydrogen to survive nutrient-poor periods, playing a central role in soil microbial communities and ecological balance.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalThe ISME Journal·DateJul 6, 2021

Engineered cells successfully treat cardiovascular and pulmonary disease

Scientists at UCSF have shown that gene-edited cellular therapeutics can effectively treat major diseases such as peripheral artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and heart failure. The study used specially engineered induced pluripotent stem cells called HIP cells to evade the immune system.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 2021

Keeping bacteria under lock and key

Scientists at the University of Delaware have made progress on a biological containment strategy using synthetic auxotrophy, keeping a strain of E. coli stable for 100 days. The research also shows promise for treating diseases and cleaning up the environment safely.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 6, 2021

"All the lonely people": The impact of loneliness in old age on life and health expectancy

A study by Duke-NUS Medical School finds that lonely older adults can expect to live a shorter life than their peers, forfeiting potential years of good health. In Singapore, where collectivistic culture and rapidly ageing population make loneliness more detrimental, loneliness among seniors has become a social and public health concern.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJul 6, 2021