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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 346


Page 346 of 510

Fearsome tyrannosaurs were social animals, study suggests

A new study based on research at a unique fossil site in Utah finds that tyrannosaurs were likely gregarious animals, with evidence suggesting they died together during a seasonal flooding event. The discovery sheds light on the behavior of these fearsome predators and challenges long-held assumptions about their solitary hunting habits.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas·JournalPeerJ·DateApr 20, 2021

Combining light, superconductors could boost AI capabilities

Researchers propose integrating photonic components with superconducting electronics to enable artificial cognitive systems of scale and functionality. This approach may be easier at low temperatures using superconductors than at room temperatures using semiconductors.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateApr 20, 2021

All-in-one test for COVID-19 surveillance

Researchers have developed an all-in-one test that integrates COVID-19 diagnosis, variant tracking, and co-infection detection into a single portable mini-laboratory. The NIRVANA test can detect SARS-CoV-2 mutations and report them simultaneously, making it a promising solution for rapid field-deployable detection.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalMed·DateApr 20, 2021

Vibrational microscopy goes super resolution

Researchers have developed a novel super-resolution vibrational microscopy harnessing Stimulated Raman Excited Fluorescence (SREF) for ultrasensitive vibrational contrast. This technique enables all-far-field Raman spectroscopy with sensitivity down to single-molecule resolution.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateApr 20, 2021

Newly discovered airway cells may shed light on SIDS and other conditions

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital discovered three distinct types of pulmonary neuroendocrine cells (PNECs) that line the human airway, which may be involved in breathing-related diseases in infants. The study found higher numbers of certain PNECs in autopsied tissues from children who died from SIDS and other conditions.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalCell Reports·DateApr 20, 2021

The immune link between a leaky blood-brain barrier and schizophrenia

A study by Penn researchers found that people with schizophrenia have a compromised blood-brain barrier, allowing the immune system to improperly influence the central nervous system. This inflammation contributes to the condition's symptoms. The findings may also apply to other mental disorders.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalBrain·DateApr 20, 2021

Astronauts' mental health risks tested in the Antarctic

Researchers found continuous declines in positive emotions among astronauts at two Antarctic stations, without a bounce-back effect after returning home. Positive emotions such as satisfaction and enthusiasm are crucial for thriving in high-pressure settings, and interventions targeting these may reduce psychological risk.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalActa Astronautica·DateApr 20, 2021

Filling federal oversight gaps

The withdrawal of federal regulation on smaller transboundary waters has left individual states with the responsibility to fill in the gaps, but evidence suggests this may not lead to desired outcomes. Research highlights the flaws in the 2020 Navigable Waters Protection Rule's economics analysis and the failure to account for economic...

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalScience·DateApr 20, 2021

A study finds gender bias in music recommendation algorithms

A study by researchers from the Music Technology research group found that a widely used music recommendation algorithm is biased towards male artists, resulting in less exposure for female artists. The algorithm's ranking system perpetuates this bias, with female artist recommendations often appearing later in the list.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·DateApr 20, 2021

Researchers raise alarm over stalled adoption of biotechnology to improve food security

A team of researchers calls on governments worldwide to support the adoption of biotechnologies to improve crop production and combat climate change. They argue that societal acceptance of technologies like gene editing is a major obstacle, highlighting the need for effective communication and advocacy to gain public confidence.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalTrends in Plant Science·DateApr 20, 2021

Study could lead to production of more efficient optoelectronic devices

Researchers used advanced spectroscopy and electronic transport techniques to determine charge accumulation and dynamics in resonant-tunneling diodes. The study aims to develop novel RTDs with optimized charge distribution to enhance photodetection efficiency or minimize optical losses.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateApr 20, 2021

'Undruggable' cancer protein becomes druggable, thanks to shrub

A chemist at Purdue University has found a way to synthesize a compound that can fight a previously 'undruggable' cancer protein with benefits across various cancer types. The compound, curcusone D, was discovered in a shrub native to North America and has shown potent anti-cancer activity against breast cancer cells.

SourcePurdue University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateApr 20, 2021

Predicting the next pandemic virus is harder than we think

Researchers argue that zoonotic risk predictions are limited in value and instead propose focusing on the human-animal interface for intensive viral surveillance to detect novel viruses early. This approach may help prevent future pandemics like COVID-19.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateApr 20, 2021

Brain-on-a-chip would need little training

Researchers at KAUST developed a brain-on-a-chip that can learn real-world data patterns without extensive training, leveraging spiking neural networks and spike-timing-dependent plasticity model. The system is more than 20 times faster and 200 times more energy efficient than other neural network platforms.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems·DateApr 20, 2021

Noncalcified coronary plaque burden higher in people with HIV

A study found that people living with HIV have a two to three times higher noncalcified coronary plaque burden than non-HIV healthy volunteers. Researchers emphasize the importance of adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle for those with HIV.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateApr 20, 2021

Better marketing for a better world

This special issue of the Journal of Marketing explores how marketing can contribute to a better world by examining its impact on outcomes beyond financial performance. It highlights research on topics like sustainability, economic empowerment, health, and prosocial giving.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateApr 20, 2021

Green energy technology

Versogen, a UD spinoff company, has developed patented membrane technology to produce low-cost green hydrogen at scale using a new class of low-cost electrolyzer technology. This technology aims to decarbonize heavy industries and reduce industrial carbon emissions in an environmentally responsible way.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·DateApr 20, 2021

One in five American adults experience chronic pain

According to a new study published in Pain, nearly one-fifth of American adults (20.5%) suffer from chronic pain, with significant impacts on workdays missed, social activities, and daily living. The total economic burden is estimated at nearly $300 billion annually, including lost wages and productivity.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalPain·DateApr 20, 2021

New study reveal targeted therapy working in early breast cancer

A new study from the University of Bergen reveals that targeted therapy using PARP inhibitors can be effective in treating early-stage triple negative breast cancers. The study found a significant response rate among patients not harboring germline mutations, highlighting a potential for improved personalized treatment.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalAnnals of Oncology·DateApr 20, 2021

Is social media use a potentially addictive behaviour?

Research at University of Strathclyde suggests frequent social media use is not necessarily linked to addiction, contradicting previous studies on attentional bias. The study tested participants' attention towards specific apps and found no association with self-reported addictive severity or established measures of engagement.

SourceUniversity of Strathclyde·JournalJournal of Behavioral Addictions·DateApr 20, 2021

Little Foot fossil shows early human ancestor clung closely to trees

A new study on the Little Foot fossil suggests that early human ancestors used their arms to bear substantial weight while climbing trees. The research, published in the Journal of Human Evolution, analyzed the upper body of the 3.67 million-year-old Australopithecus individual and found evidence of apelike characteristics.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJournal of Human Evolution·DateApr 20, 2021

WHOI and Analog Devices launch ocean and climate innovation accelerator

The Ocean and Climate Innovation Accelerator (OCIA) consortium aims to advance knowledge of the ocean's role in combating climate change and develop new solutions. The consortium will focus on advancing the 'networked ocean' concept, placing sensors across oceanic environments to monitor critical metrics.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·DateApr 20, 2021

Understanding our restoring force

A research team led by Michigan State University found that restoration benefits outweigh detriments from land use history two-to-one. Despite the benefits, restoration could not erase all of farming's lasting effects. The study provides insights for ecologists to target restoration efforts effectively.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 20, 2021

Predicting the onset of diseases

Scientists developed a new mathematical model to predict disease onset risk using patient genomic data, providing improved predictive quality and personalized health risks for patients. The model can analyze large datasets of genetic markers linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 20, 2021

Chickens and pigs with integrated genetic scissors

Researchers at TUM have developed a method to introduce specific gene mutations into desired organs or correct existing genes without creating new animal models. This reduces the number of animals required for research and enables precise gene manipulation in farm animals, such as chickens and pigs.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 20, 2021

Handwashing responsible for bacteria in sinks, largest non-hospital study shows

Scientists at the University of Reading found that handwashing shapes communities of bacteria in sink drains, with dominant families differing by location and plumbing system type. The study suggests that even thorough cleaning may not eliminate all bacteria, highlighting the need for thorough disinfection of sinks.

SourceUniversity of Reading·JournalEnvironmental DNA·DateApr 20, 2021

Helpful, engineered 'living' machines in the future?

Researchers created a soft mechanical metamaterial that can compute digital logic computations using binary inputs and outputs. The material thinks by reconfiguring its conductive polymer network in response to mechanical force and electrical signals.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 20, 2021

AI agent helps identify material properties faster

A team of researchers has developed an AI agent called Crystallography Companion Agent (XCA) to analyze X-ray diffraction data and identify material properties faster. The agent collaborates with scientists to perform autonomous phase identifications, overcoming traditional neuronal network overconfidence.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Computational Science·DateApr 20, 2021

Study finds dramatic gains in life expectancy for people with HIV in Latin America

A recent study found dramatic increases in life expectancy for people living with HIV in seven Latin American countries, with a 14-year retrospective analysis of 30,688 individuals. The study reveals significant gains in life expectancy, particularly among women and those with lower HIV transmission risk factors.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalThe Lancet HIV·DateApr 20, 2021

Can extreme melt destabilize ice sheets?

Researchers at Stanford University used a new approach to analyze radar data to show that extreme melt events can create persistent structural changes in the ice sheet, reducing its ability to store meltwater. This change can lead to slippery conditions on the ice bed and speed up the ice sheet's melting.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 20, 2021

6G technology: Domestic trio working on tomorrow's mobile communications

A European consortium is working on the technical feasibility of 6G technology, specifically RadioWeaves, which enables real-time data transmission with a dense network of access points. This technology has opportunities for industries such as sports stadiums, where it could provide wireless power and precise location tracking.

SourceGraz University of Technology·DateApr 20, 2021

New biomaterial regrows blood vessels and bone, RCSI research

Scientists have developed a new biomaterial that regrows both blood vessels and bone, potentially providing an alternative to current systems. The biomaterial was inspired by the natural way in which bone defects regenerate and uses a mechanobiology-informed approach to promote both angiogenesis and osteogenesis.

SourceRCSI·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·DateApr 20, 2021

E-cigarette users in rural Appalachia develop more severe lung injuries

A recent study from West Virginia University reveals that rural e-cigarette users are more likely to develop severe respiratory failure and require critical care. The study found a high correlation between lung injury and toxic volatile organic compounds in e-liquids, particularly in those produced by garage labs.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalHospital Practice·DateApr 20, 2021

Review summarizes known links between endocrine disruptors and breast cancer risk

A comprehensive systematic review of epidemiological research found a link between certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals and increased breast cancer risk. For example, DDT, PCBs, and PFOA were associated with higher breast cancer incidence in some studies, while phytoestrogens like genistein showed potential protective effects.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalCritical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition·DateApr 20, 2021

Reversal of blood droplet flight predicted, captured in experiments

Researchers predict and capture the reversal of blood droplet flight due to gun muzzle gases, impacting forensic analysis of bloodstain patterns. The study also reveals the breakup of blood droplets in flight, affecting the formation and size of blood droplets.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateApr 20, 2021

Crucial action needed for coral reefs

Over 500 million people rely on coral reefs for protection and resources, but these ecosystems are threatened by global warming. A team of scientists recommends a massive energy transition as the most effective action to limit coral reef decline, with international political support necessary.

SourceCNRS·JournalBiological Conservation·DateApr 20, 2021

New findings suggest organ tissues become increasingly immune throughout life

A University of Minnesota Medical School study found that organ tissues develop immunity to viruses over time, leading to a broader understanding of the immune system's role in surveillance. The research reveals that up to 25% of cells in organs are immune cells, significantly contributing to the body's cellular makeup.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalNature·DateApr 20, 2021

ETRI successfully tests AR services on subway

A joint research project between Korea and UK successfully tested AR services on Seoul Subway Line No. 8, demonstrating immersive multimedia experiences with speeds up to 30 times faster than current transmission rates. The test utilized a 5G mobile backhaul network, enabling simultaneous use of AR-immersive services by 190 users.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·DateApr 20, 2021

Stone skipping techniques can improve reentry of space vehicles

Scientists from several Chinese universities investigated the physics of stone skipping and its relation to space vehicle reentry. They found that vertical acceleration and spinning direction affect bouncing and surfing motions, providing new insights for aerospace and marine engineering.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateApr 20, 2021