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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 239


Page 239 of 510

Elephants solve problems with personality

Researchers found that elephants' personality traits, such as aggressiveness and activity, were important predictors of problem-solving success. However, the personality traits measured did not significantly predict learning ability. The study used a comprehensive approach to assess elephant personalities and solve novel problems.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalJournal of Comparative Psychology·DateJun 25, 2021

Can a calculator predict your risk of dementia?

A new online calculator can predict an individual's risk of dementia in the next five years by assessing factors such as age, physical activity, diet, and stress. The tool, developed by Canadian researchers, aims to empower individuals to modify their lifestyle and reduce their risk.

SourceThe Ottawa Hospital·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateJun 25, 2021

Makowski, Pierre publish findings on obesity and response to cancer therapy

Researchers at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center have found that obesity in mice models led to accelerated tumor growth, but anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade successfully blocked this progression. The study suggests that obese patients with breast cancer may respond better to immunotherapies like checkpoint inhibitors.

Babies can see things that adults cannot

Infants younger than 7 months can perceive faces even when they are followed by a mask image, but this ability disappears in older infants. The study found that visual backward masking occurs due to interference with feedback processing, which develops in the second half of the first year of life.

SourceChuo University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 25, 2021

Differences in human, mouse brain cells have important implications for disease research

A UCLA-led study comparing human and mouse astrocytes found that mouse cells are more resilient to oxidative stress, a key mechanism behind many neurological disorders. The findings have important implications for basic and translational research into conditions like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral scl...

Market exit: Divestment or redeployment?

A new study published in the Strategic Management Journal found that business relatedness has a significant effect on market exit, with greater potential for resource redeployment leading to faster exits. The research analyzed 3,082 retail chains across 106 countries and suggests that internal redeployment is a key driver of market exit.

SourceStrategic Management Society·JournalStrategic Management Journal·DateJun 25, 2021

AI breakthrough in premature baby care

Researchers created a hybrid neural network called NAIMS that accurately predicts premature baby mortality risk using demographics and vital signs. The technique has shown strong performance in predicting an infant's risk of mortality within 3, 7, or 14 days, with potential to analyze responsiveness to treatment.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalComputers in Biology and Medicine·DateJun 25, 2021

Streptococcus pneumoniae sticks to dying lung cells, worsening secondary infection following flu

Researchers have identified a novel virulence trait of Streptococcus pneumoniae that increases the severity of S. pneumoniae superinfection following flu. The surface protein PspA, previously known to have several other virulence mechanisms, now functions as an adhesin to dying lung epithelial cells. This finding provides further expla...

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 24, 2021

Research team discovers Arctic dinosaur nursery

A research team from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Florida State University has found evidence that nearly all types of Arctic dinosaurs reproduced in the region and likely remained there year-round. The discovery contradicts previous hypotheses that the animals migrated to lower latitudes for the winter, suggesting they were ...

SourceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 24, 2021

Gastrulation research reveals novel details about embryonic development

Researchers from Helmholtz Zentrum München have discovered a novel mechanism driving the formation of the endoderm germ layer during gastrulation. This finding has significant implications for understanding congenital diseases and potential targets for therapeutic intervention in cancer.

Ethane proxies for methane in oil and gas emissions

A recent study using ethane proxies has found that oil and gas wells contribute significantly to greenhouse warming, exceeding EPA estimates by 48-76%. The researchers tracked ethane and methane emissions across the US over three seasons, providing new insights into fossil fuel sources.

When did the first COVID-19 case arise?

A new study suggests that the first COVID-19 case arose in China between early October and mid-November 2019, with November 17 being the most likely date of origin. The analysis reveals a more rapid spread than previously confirmed cases imply, with the disease spreading globally by January 2020.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJun 24, 2021