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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 259


Page 259 of 510

Microbes in ocean play important role in moderating Earth's temperature

Researchers discovered methane-eating microbes in seafloor carbonate rocks that consume methane 50 times faster than in sediment, highlighting their crucial role in regulating Earth's temperatures. The porous nature of these rocks facilitates the growth and exchange of microbes, allowing them to thrive and maintain high metabolic rates.

SourceHarvard University, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 14, 2021

Barks in the night lead to the discovery of new species

A new study identifies a separate species of tree hyrax, Dendrohyrax interfluvialis, which inhabits the wet and dry forests between the Volta and Niger rivers in West Africa. The species is characterized by distinct barks, anatomical differences, and genetic distinctness from other hyrax lineages.

SourceYale University·JournalZoological Journal of the Linnean Society·DateJun 14, 2021

Researchers model impact of blood pressure control programs at barbershops nationwide

Researchers model the impact of implementing blood pressure control programs at barbershops nationwide, finding that such programs could reach one in three Black men with uncontrolled blood pressure. These community-based interventions would avert 8,600 major cardiovascular events annually, including 1,800 heart attacks and 5,500 strokes.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalCirculation·DateJun 14, 2021

New theranostic approach joins radiopharmaceuticals and nanoparticles to kill cancer cells

Researchers have developed a novel cancer treatment approach that utilizes Cerenkov radiation energy to activate semiconducting polymer nanoparticles, killing cancer cells. The approach amplifies weak Cerenkov luminescence with semiconducting polymers, increasing its potential to target and destroy cancer cells.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJun 14, 2021

A new model of Alzheimer's progression

A new study from Arizona State University and MIT sheds light on how Alzheimer's disease manifests in patients, highlighting the link between toxic proteins, neurodegeneration, and glial cells. The analysis captures a detailed molecular profile of changes in protein levels and alterations in brain tissue.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Aging·DateJun 14, 2021

Study finds survival is more important than a chronic medical condition in prioritizing medical care

A new study supports prioritizing resources to those who are most likely to survive an acute illness, as several chronic medical conditions had less impact on longer-term survival than previously suspected. The research found variability among chronic conditions, with some illnesses being better predictors of death than others.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalCritical Care Medicine·DateJun 14, 2021

Study effects paradigm shift in the understanding of how red rot attacks sugarcane

Researchers at the University of São Paulo discovered that Fusarium verticillioides uses volatile compounds to manipulate Diatraea saccharalis moths and sugarcane plants, promoting its own dissemination. This study revolutionizes the science of red rot disease, considered the most serious threat to sugarcane.

Toxin-adapted fish pass down epigenetic mutations to freshwater offspring

Researchers found that toxin-adapted fish passed on epigenetic mutations to their freshwater offspring, with an 80% overlap in DNA methylation regions. This study provides evidence for the long-term effects of toxic exposure on epigenetics, with implications for understanding human health and environmental adaptations.

SourceWashington State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 14, 2021

Climate change leads to unprecedented Rocky Mountain wildfires

The 2020 fire season marked a turning point in the history of high-elevation forests in the Rocky Mountains. Researchers found that fires are now burning nearly twice as much area on average compared to the last 2,000 years. This increased frequency and severity pose significant risks for forest resilience and regeneration.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 14, 2021

Making a meal of DNA in the seafloor

Specialized bacteria in the oceans' seafloor have been found to consume and recycle DNA from dead biomass, a process that plays a crucial role in global biogeochemical cycles. The study identified novel DNA-eating bacteria, including the species Izemoplasma acidinucleici, which have sophisticated tools for degrading DNA.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Microbiology·DateJun 14, 2021

Understanding the cause of joint and tendon dysfunction in osteogenesis imperfecta

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discover a protein signaling mechanism driving joint and tendon dysfunction in OI, finding that inhibiting this pathway can prevent tendinopathy problems. The study used mouse models with deleted Fkpb10 gene, leading to contracture, joint inflammation, and cartilage piece formation.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 14, 2021

Das researching use of artificial intelligence

A team of researchers, led by Sanmay Das from George Mason University, is exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to develop novel methods for allocating scarce housing support to at-risk households. The goal is to improve service system outcomes and prevent homelessness, while ensuring fairness and equity.

Hair follicles heal blisters at personal cost

Researchers discovered that hair follicle stem cells play a key role in healing skin blisters, which delays the growth of hair follicles in regenerated skin tissue. This balance between wound healing and development has implications for treating epidermolysis bullosa, pemphigoid diseases and other blistering conditions.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalEMBO Reports·DateJun 14, 2021

Malaysia registers first hepatitis C treatment developed through South-South cooperation

The National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency of Malaysia has granted conditional registration to a new hepatitis C treatment combination developed through public-private partnership. The treatment, ravidasvir, was shown to be effective and well-tolerated in clinical trials, with cure rates of up to 97%.

SourceDrugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative·JournalThe Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology·DateJun 14, 2021

Impact of digitization on democracies

The symposium aims to discuss associated risks, policy options, and trends from a scientific point of view. Key experts from Germany, Israel, and the US will share their insights on fake news, hate speech, and conspiracy theories' influence on democratic participation.

Insulators turn up the heat on quantum bits

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck develop new method to assess influence of dielectric materials on charged particles in ion traps, enabling more accurate design and minimization of noise in quantum computers. The breakthrough improves understanding of sources of error in ion trap quantum computing.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 14, 2021