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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 240


Page 240 of 510

Plant Protector: How plants strengthen their light-harvesting membranes against environmental stress

A study by an international consortium reveals the structure and mechanism of a protein that builds and maintains photosynthetic membranes in plants. The research provides new opportunities for engineering plants to be more resistant to extreme environmental conditions, helping to sustain human food supply and combat climate change.

Some good news for those with migraines

A new study from the University of Toronto found that 63% of Canadians with migraines experience almost daily happiness and high levels of social and psychological well-being. Those who had a confidant or used spiritual coping mechanisms were more likely to be in excellent mental health.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalAnnals Of Headache Medicine Journal·DateJun 24, 2021

Kiwi disease study finds closely related bacterial strains display different behaviors

A recent study found that genes involved in bacterial signaling play a crucial role in the virulence of Psa3, a highly aggressive biovar of the pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding the diversity of virulence strategies among closely related bacterial strains.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalMolecular Plant-Microbe Interactions·DateJun 24, 2021

Mixed cultures for a greater yield

A study published in Nature Plants found that mixed cultures of crops can produce higher yields than monocultures due to the biodiversity effect. This approach involves sowing multiple species or varieties alongside each other, resulting in increased plant productivity and effective natural pest control without pesticides.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Plants·DateJun 24, 2021

How neurons get past 'no'

A new study reveals that inhibitory neurons increase signal transmission by targeting the weakest-responding neurons in the brain, enabling flexible information transfer. This discovery could help understand and treat disorders such as anxiety and attention deficit disorders.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 24, 2021

COVID-19 origins still a mystery

A recent study using computer modelling found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus binds more tightly to human cells than any other tested animal species, including bats and pangolins. The results suggest that the virus may have adapted to become an effective human pathogen through convergent evolution or genetic recombination.

SourceFlinders University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 24, 2021

A low Omega-3 index is just as strong a predictor of early death as smoking

A new study found that a low Omega-3 Index is associated with increased risk of early death, comparable to the risk of smoking. The research used data from the Framingham Heart Study and suggested that biomarkers integrating lifestyle choices could help identify individuals at risk and inform treatment approaches.

SourceWright On Marketing & Communications·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJun 24, 2021

Spreading of infections = need for collaboration between biology and physics

The spread of infections requires collaboration between biology and physics to understand superspreaders, who account for 80% of transmission. Researchers develop computer models considering family context, work context, and random contexts, highlighting the importance of time in modeling disease behavior.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 24, 2021

Decoding humans' survival from coronaviruses

An international team analysed genomes of over 2,500 humans from 26 populations to understand human adaptation to historical coronavirus outbreaks. They found signs of adaptation in 42 different human genes encoding viral interacting proteins (VIPs), which primarily active in the lungs and interact with coronaviruses.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 24, 2021

Leopard gecko skin tumors traced to cancer gene

A genetic analysis of leopard geckos has identified a cancer gene linked to skin tumors, shedding light on the animals' unique coloration patterns. The study, published in PLOS Genetics, suggests that the geckos' bright colors may be caused by an error in the gene, leading to overproduction of white skin cells and reflective crystals.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJun 24, 2021

Early findings of Alzheimer's study in diverse populations now available to researchers

The research data provides insights into the biology of Alzheimer's disease among Mexican Americans, highlighting lower levels of beta amyloid protein and earlier onset of cognitive loss compared to non-Latino whites. This comprehensive study is a first-of-its-kind examination of health disparities and diagnostic opportunities for unde...

COVID-19 monoclonal antibody therapy can reduce hospitalizations, healthcare system stress

A study by USF Health and Tampa General Hospital found that early administration of monoclonal antibodies to high-risk patients can significantly reduce COVID-19-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations. The treatment reduced hospitalization rates by 40.5% compared to controls, with no deaths reported in the treated group.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalOpen Forum Infectious Diseases·DateJun 24, 2021

A new type of Homo unknown to science

A new type of Homo has been identified in Israel, with features that challenge the prevailing hypothesis on Neanderthal origins. The discovery suggests that at least some Neanderthals' ancestors came from the Levant, and that two types of Homo groups lived side by side for over 100,000 years.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalScience·DateJun 24, 2021