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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 355


Page 355 of 510

Self-assembling nanofibers prevent damage from inflammation

Researchers at Duke University developed self-assembling nanofibers that activate key cells in the immune system to limit damaging inflammation. The nanofibers, which include a protein called C3dg, were shown to be effective in treating psoriasis and other inflammatory diseases.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 14, 2021

Triple combination therapy shows promise against a rare deadly asbestos cancer

Researchers at University Health Network found that combining immune-boosting drugs with radiation and surgery increased survival and anticancer immune response in mouse models of mesothelioma. The treatment extended survival and provided a durable immune response, even after re-injection of tumour cells up to 12 weeks later.

SourceUniversity Health Network·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 14, 2021

Reliably measuring whether rivers or lakes run out of air

A new method introduces faster and more reliable measurement of water pollution by detecting oxygen consumption in wastewater samples. This approach distinguishes between pollutants from sewage and naturally occurring organic matter.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Hereon·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 14, 2021

Protein found to control drivers of normal growth and cancer

A new study reveals a long-sought enzyme, AMBRA1, that prevents cancer by controlling proteins driving cell growth. The findings also suggest that an existing drug class may be able to reverse such defects in the future.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature·DateApr 14, 2021

Suicide risk among nurses, physicians

A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry estimated the risk of suicide among nurses and physicians compared to the general population. The study found that these professionals are at a significantly higher risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateApr 14, 2021

Dietary cocoa improves health of obese mice; likely has implications for humans

A study by Penn State researchers found that supplementing high-fat-fed mice with cocoa powder reduced the severity of their liver disease and improved markers of oxidative stress. The researchers suggest that similar benefits may be achieved in humans through dietary changes, but caution against overconsumption.

SourcePenn State·JournalThe Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry·DateApr 14, 2021

Counting pedestrians to make pedestrians count

A new model developed by MIT's Andres Sevtsuk can estimate pedestrian journeys and trip distribution, providing a solution for planners and developers to better understand foot traffic in cities. The model uses network analysis and real-world data to calculate pedestrian flows, which can be applied to various urban settings.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Planning Association·DateApr 14, 2021

Backyard bird feeding sparks a songbird 'reverse migration'

Research shows Eurasian Blackcaps, a widespread warbler species, are adapting to changing climate by reversing their migration patterns to spend winters in British Isles backyard gardens. These birds have a steady food supply and better body condition, allowing them to move less and avoid predators more effectively.

SourceCornell University·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateApr 14, 2021

Toxic gas in rat brains shows potential for new dementia treatments

Researchers have found that treatments to reduce levels of hydrogen sulfide in the brain may help ward off damage caused by the gas, which is involved in blocking key brain cell gateways. The study shows that H2S disrupts normal brain functioning and can lead to nerve cell death.

SourceUniversity of Reading·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 14, 2021

With impressive accuracy, dogs can sniff out coronavirus

A study published in PLOS ONE found that specially trained dogs can identify positive COVID-19 samples with high accuracy, recognizing the unique odor of the infection. The research suggests large-scale training with diverse samples is crucial to ensure quality and validity for future applications.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 14, 2021

Significant spread of all coronavirus variants tracked in Houston area

A new study found that all six currently identified SARS-CoV-2 variants are widely spread across the Houston metropolitan area. Genome sequencing data showed geographically widespread dissemination of variants, with successful patient-to-patient transmission among communities.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateApr 14, 2021

Researchers receive $2.7 million to study sex differences in social reward

Researchers are investigating how oxytocin and dopamine act in the brain's reward circuits to make social interactions rewarding for males and females. The project has the potential to provide new mechanisms for understanding well-known sex differences in neuropsychiatric disorders and spur the development of gender-specific treatments.

SourceGeorgia State University·DateApr 14, 2021

Plasma device designed for consumers can quickly disinfect surfaces

A new plasma device designed for consumers has been demonstrated to eliminate 99.99 percent of bacteria on surfaces, including textiles and metals, in just 90 seconds. The device uses room-temperature plasmas to produce reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that destroy bacterial cell walls and kill cells.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 14, 2021

Scientists program microalgae's 'oil factory' to produce various oils

Researchers have programmed microalgae to produce fatty acids of different lengths, creating a more flexible cell factory for producing industrially relevant oils. This breakthrough could lead to the development of designer oils with various fatty acid chain lengths.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalMetabolic Engineering·DateApr 14, 2021

Research news tip sheet: Story ideas from Johns Hopkins Medicine

Researchers developed a new diagnostic tool that uses positron emission tomography and radioactive sugar to detect Enterobacterales infections. The technique was shown to be effective in detecting and localizing infections in patients, with no adverse effects.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 14, 2021

Superbug killer: New nanotech destroys bacteria and fungal cells

Researchers have developed a new superbug-destroying coating that could be used on wound dressings and implants to prevent and treat potentially deadly bacterial and fungal infections. The material is effective against a broad range of drug-resistant bacteria and fungal cells, while leaving human cells unharmed.

SourceRMIT University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateApr 14, 2021

Tiny wireless implant detects oxygen deep within the body

Researchers at UC Berkeley created a tiny wireless implant that can measure tissue oxygen levels in real-time, allowing doctors to monitor the health of transplanted organs and tissues. The device could also track other biochemical markers, such as pH or carbon dioxide, providing early warnings of potential issues.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateApr 14, 2021

Massive fragment screen points way to new SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors

Scientists identify 234 fragment compounds directly binding to SARS-CoV-2's Nsp3 Mac1 protein, mapping chemical motifs for potential antiviral drug development. The study lays out the next steps in designing and synthesizing more elaborate molecules with promising biological effects.

SourceDiamond Light Source·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 14, 2021

Auxin makes the spirals in gerbera inflorescences follow the Fibonacci sequence

Researchers have found that the spirals in gerbera inflorescences follow the Fibonacci sequence, with the number of left- and right-winding spirals determined by consecutive Fibonacci numbers. The study used X-ray tomography and confocal microscopy to examine how auxin levels influence the patterning of floral primordia.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 14, 2021

Worm infections leave African women more vulnerable to STIs

A new study reveals that intestinal worm infections can change vaginal immunity and increase the likelihood of Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection. The research found that targeting eosinophils can prevent this pathology, suggesting a potential solution to reduce STI severity.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateApr 14, 2021

Of apples and oil pumpkins: News from microbiome research

Two independent studies on apples and oil pumpkins reveal that beneficial microorganisms are passed down to future generations, influencing plant traits. The global 'core' microbiome is shared among apples worldwide, with regional variations indicating adaptation to local environments.

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·DateApr 14, 2021

Study sheds more light on use of oxytocin during labour

A recent study published in The BMJ found that discontinuing oxytocin stimulation during induced labour may lead to a reduced risk of uterine hyperstimulation and abnormal fetal heart rate. This finding suggests that routine discontinuation of oxytocin stimulation could be beneficial in settings with limited monitoring resources.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateApr 14, 2021

Interlayer exciton formation, relaxation, and transport in TMDs van der Waals Heterostructures

Research on interlayer excitons in TMDs vdW heterostructures reveals ultrafast formation, long population recombination lifetimes, and intriguing spin-valley dynamics. The properties ensure good transport characteristics and pave the way for potential applications in efficient excitonic devices.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateApr 14, 2021

Transforming circles into squares

Scientists transform circles into squares by temporarily softening a stiff material using capillary force, allowing for durable and reversible topological changes. The new approach enables applications in information encryption, selective particle trapping, and tunable mechanical properties.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature·DateApr 14, 2021

Why do some alloys become stronger at room temperature?

Researchers from NTNU and SINTEF have made a breakthrough in understanding the phenomenon of natural ageing, where certain alloy strengths increase over time. The team studied clusters formed by alloying elements using advanced microscopy techniques, discovering that these clusters affect metal strength.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalActa Materialia·DateApr 14, 2021

How transcription factors work together in cancer formation

Researchers discovered that up to 60% of observed enhancers have coordinated binding events, indicating transcription factors work together to regulate gene expression. This cooperation may enable cancer cells to exploit existing enhancer systems, leading to changes in cellular identity.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalMolecular Cell·DateApr 14, 2021

Suicide among female nurses is double that of the general female population

A University of Michigan study found that female nurses are twice as likely to commit suicide as the general female population and 70% more likely than female physicians. The study highlights the need for high-quality wellness programs for nurses, who face extraordinary demands from COVID-19 and often struggle with work-life balance.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateApr 14, 2021

Are chemical pollutants altering the behaviour of wildlife and humans?

International scientists agree that chemical pollutants can impact wildlife and human behavior, calling for improved methods to study contaminated-induced behavioral changes. The recommendations include developing standardized toxicity tests and integrating behavioral toxicology into environmental risk assessments.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateApr 14, 2021

Seasonal water cycle fluctuations may trigger earthquakes in Taiwan

A new study reveals a strong correlation between changes in Taiwan's seismicity rate and its seasonal water cycle fluctuations. Shallow earthquakes in eastern Taiwan show an opposite correlation, with peak seismicity rates occurring in either winter or summer.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 14, 2021

Lab study solves textbook problem: How cells know their size

A recent study from Dartmouth College has uncovered the mechanism behind how cells determine their size, a crucial process that regulates cell division in growing organisms. The research found that histone H3 plays a key role in this process, releasing an enzyme called Chk1 to bind with another protein and stop cell multiplication.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 14, 2021

Channel migration plays leading role in river network evolution, study finds

A new study finds that river systems exhibit lateral migration of channels, reorganizing drainage patterns into a dendritic structure. This phenomenon is not captured by existing numerical models and has significant implications for understanding river evolution and land use planning.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 14, 2021

How to build a city that prioritizes public health

Researchers highlight the need for urban planning to promote physical activity, reduce air pollution, and improve chronic disease outcomes. Designing cities with inclusivity in mind can lead to better health outcomes, even during pandemics.

SourceColorado State University·JournalCurrent Environmental Health Reports·DateApr 14, 2021

Making waves in oceanography

A new theory explains how suspended sediment particles mysteriously move upward on submarine canyon slopes, defying gravity. This discovery helps understand biogeochemical cycles at continental margins and feeding behavior of suspension feeders like baleen whales and krill.

SourceFlinders University·JournalJournal of Marine Systems·DateApr 14, 2021

$1.9 million award could keep Zika virus at bay

A UC Riverside virologist has received a $1.9 million award to investigate how the Zika virus beats human defenses, with the goal of developing a vaccine and antiviral drug. The research aims to understand how the virus triggers the degradation of STAT2, a key host factor in activating interferons.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateApr 14, 2021

Innovative technique developed to destroy cancerous kidney cells

Researchers developed a two-pronged approach targeting cancer progression and cell destruction, leveraging cathepsin S and p21 BAX proteins to treat kidney cancer. The novel peptide CS-PEP1 inhibits these proteins, encouraging cancer cell death and overcoming molecular resistance found in conventional chemotherapy treatment.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalPharmaceutics·DateApr 14, 2021

Lower COVID-19 rates seen in US states with higher adherence to mask wearing

A state-by-state analysis of mask-wearing policies and COVID-19 rates reveals a strong association between high adherence to mask wearing and reduced spread of the virus. States with high mask-wearing rates had significantly lower COVID-19 rates, highlighting the importance of this public health measure in mitigating the pandemic.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 14, 2021

Cellular "hotspots" in the brain may signify the earliest signs of cancer

Researchers at King's College London have found small clusters of cells in the brain that identify locations where tumours could become malignant. The study suggests that these 'hotspots' could be the seedbeds for malignant progression, a process by which a tumour becomes a fast-growing and uncontrolled cancer.

SourceKing's College London·JournalNeuro-Oncology Advances·DateApr 14, 2021

UOC to provide teachers in Europe with training to improve online teaching

The UOC is involved in the ECOLHE project, which aims to create conditions for sharing best practices in online teaching across Europe. The project will provide recommendations for policymakers and academic bodies on how to build a European higher education area based on independent quality guarantees.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·DateApr 14, 2021

Study: Black people may respond differently to common MS therapy than white people

A preliminary study suggests that Black people with autoimmune neurologic diseases like multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder may respond differently to a common therapy meant to modulate the immune system. After treatment, 76% of Black patients had detectable B-cell levels, compared to 33.3% of white patients.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateApr 14, 2021

Birds take tRNA efficiency to new heights

Recent genomic analyses reveal that bird genomes contain fewer tRNA genes compared to other vertebrates, yet exhibit similar usage patterns. The authors found that the contraction in tRNA genes is balanced by preferences for certain isoacceptor families, ensuring optimal translational efficiencies.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalGenome Biology and Evolution·DateApr 14, 2021

New study reveals charge transfer at interface of spinel oxide and ceria during CO oxidation

A recent study has unveiled a new principle that active charge transfer at the interface between non-noble metals can enhance the catalytic performance of complex oxide catalysts. The researchers found that CeO2-deposited spinel oxide nanocubes exhibited a 12-times higher CO oxidation rate than pristine Co3O4 NCs.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalACS Catalysis·DateApr 14, 2021